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Common iCloud Backup Problems and Fixes

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Here are ways to troubleshoot iCloud Backup problems in order to get your backup solution working smoothly again.

iCloud includes 5GB of backup storage free for customers to use to backup contacts, calendars, notes, emails and photos. Users can also buy more iCloud backup space.

This backup method is perfect for folks that don’t feel comfortable manually saving all that information.

On occasion, users may experience a delay or a complete halt in the backup process and there are often a few culprits to troubleshoot

Here is a guide on how to troubleshoot when your iCloud Backup will not complete.

How to Fix iCloud Backup Problems

Here is a how-to video on some ways to fix iCloud backups when they do not complete

Watch the video for a step by step walkthrough on some ways to resolve iCloud backup problems.

How to Fix iCloud Backups

There are a few different ways your device may be experiencing iCloud backup failure and it is best to start with the least invasive steps first.

SlowBackup

The issues usually have to do with storage capacity on iCloud, bad connection to the server, or potentially some software corruption. There are fortunately a few quick and easy ways to verify your problem before you need to seek further help.

iCloud Storage Problems

The most common culprit for backup problems is that there is not enough available iCloud storage to accommodate what you are trying to backup. This is incredibly common due to people usually having more than the free 5GB available on their device.

If you have a 16GB phone and are using a majority of the storage for media, you will not be able to use iCloud in its free state. The upgrade options for storage are not too expensive however and are definitely a good idea for a piece of mind.

UpgradeiCloudStorage

The upgrade options are 50GB for $0.99 a month, 200GB for $2.99 and 1TB for $9.99. Many customers will need to purchase additional storage right out the gate in order to accommodate their larger backups.

iCloud backs up everything on your device creating a snapshot of that given minute (much like MacOS’ Time Machine) so consistently having backup space available is good way to ensure a successful backup every time.

Ensure Connection to WiFi Network

The iPhone requires a solid WiFi connection for the phone to properly execute an iCloud backup. This is another very common issue preventing backups from completing.

ControlCenter

Before starting your iCloud backup or restoring from one, ensure that the iPhone is connected to your home network. If the backup restore is stuck somewhere in the middle, the connection potentially has been dropped.

If this is the case, restarting the phone or backup process is the best thing to attempt first. Sometime restoring from a backup will lock up if there is a problem with the connection and in order to avoid corruption it will pause. It may resume if the connection strengthens so it is often best to wait a little while before restarting.

Signing Out and In with iCloud Account

Another quick fix is to remove the iCloud account from your device all together. The iCloud preference pane will warn about losing data by doing this yet all your pertinent information such as contacts will be syncing with iCloud automatically.

Signing out and then back in with your iCloud credentials re-establishes your connection with the server and allows the phone to freshly attempt to connect for a backup (or restore).

This issue usually has to do with the security at which the account is connecting to the server and may need to be initiated again by logging out.

Restore the iPhone to Factory Settings

Often if any of the above steps do not resolve your issues, the problem may be related to some software corruption within the iOS and the phone may need to be restored back to factory settings.

Erasing the device through iTunes or through the General -> Reset tab will bring the phone back to its factory settings and allow you to attempt to perform the iCloud restore again.
ResetPhone

If you are still experiencing problems, the issue may in fact lie with the backup itself. I have seen iCloud backups become corrupted due to not backup completely or having a foul system file within it.

This is rare and more often than not one of the aforementioned steps should resolve your problems, but it is always a good idea to have a secondary backup of crucial information.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Betty

    02/26/2017 at 5:02 pm

    I bought my iPhone 7plus last few days! And its stuck on ‘this iPhone is being restored’ and i can not delete my apple id since the phone is being restored! How do i fix this cuz ts been days now n ts not done restoring!!!

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